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Recurrent visits and admissions of children with asthma in central Saudi Arabia
Sami M Al-Yami1, Khaled A Mohajer, Majed I Al-Jeraisy
1Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Pediatric asthma is most common in males aged 1-6 years. Correct medication use was linked to increased severity, but may not be a direct predictor in children with recurrent asthma exacerbations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Pediatrics
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma is a significant pediatric respiratory condition.
- Understanding risk factors and medication administration is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify pediatric age and gender most affected by asthma.
- Determine predictors of asthma severity.
- Assess the appropriateness of asthma medication administration techniques.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study conducted in a pediatric emergency department.
- Involved interviews with parents of 185 children experiencing recurrent asthma exacerbations.
- Collected data on risk factors and medication administration technique.
Main Results:
- The most affected group were males aged 1-6 years (58.9%).
- Infants were the least affected pediatric age group (p=0.02).
- Appropriate meter-dose inhaler technique was reported by 65.9% of parents; higher severity was associated with appropriate use (p=0.046).
Conclusions:
- Appropriate medication administration showed a significant association with asthma severity.
- This association may be confounded by parental learning in cases of recurrent exacerbations.
- Further research is needed to clarify the predictive value of medication technique on asthma severity.
Objective:
To identify the pediatric age group and most affected gender by asthma, and to determine the significant predictors of severity of asthma, and assess the appropriateness of asthma medication administration.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was carried out at Emergency Department (ED) of children's Hospital at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January to March 2009. Interviews were carried out with the parents of 185 children, who presented to the Hospital with asthma exacerbation more than once over the last 6 months, to collect data of possible risk factors, and appropriateness of medication administration technique.
Results:
Most patients were males 71.9%, aged 1-6 years (58.9%), and 8.1% of them presented to the ED because of asthma exacerbation more than once over the last 6 months. Approximately two-thirds (65.9%) of the parents explained the way of meter dose inhaler administration correctly. Infants were significantly the least affected group (p=0.02). Severity was significantly higher among appropriate users of medications (p=0.046).
Conclusion:
Appropriateness of medications administration was significantly associated with severity. However, this may not be considered a valid predictor of severity, as parents of children with recurrent attacks may have a better chance of being taught how to use medications.
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